The Role of Intelligence in our Faith

[nebula]

I am an academic-intellectual type of person. My whole existance is filtered through my brain, so to speak. It drives my family crazy.

My brother could care less about academics and intellectual pursuits, and that includes theological debates. (The only contribution he gives to such is to ask annoying questions for no other reason than to provoke people, not because he believes the stance of the question. )

Needless to say, we clash a lot.

This background info is to say that the role of intelligence in faith is dependent on the role "intelligence" plays in a person's life.

For example, the Creation-Evolution debate has no meaning to a person like my brother.

However, for someone like me, understanding the Lord and His ways through intelligence is - if I may state it such - a state of being. To do anything with "my brain shut off" is like trying to drive with a blindfold on. I admit, though, it does make "walking by faith" a bit difficult. Unfortunately, I am always told to "stop thinking too much" - which is impossible - instead of being instructed in how to work with my mode of operatus. Le sigh.

[OneLight]

Since God created each of us with the level of intelligence we have, it would seem proper to thing that as long as it is submitted to Him, He is pleased

Exactly Brother! All we have are gifts from God, and is His on loan to us. Some will argue that they themselves have honed themselves into who and what they are. I would argue that nobody would ever have another breath, or another heartbeat, if it were not given them from God.

God has given me what I have and to claim it mine is wrong. I am just a caretaker of it until I am once again with Him.

[WolfBitn]

Call me a middle man

First of all i would clarify one can be totally unable to process anything but the most basics of thought, and yet that person could be full of faith enough to literally move mountains.

On the other hand like our brother pointed out, lack of knowledge destroys us... knowledge without wisdom and understanding is a disaster, i agree with him.

Also Jesus said "Take my yoke opon you and LEARN of me", and we know we are to saturate ourselves in the word seeking knowledge and understanding and wisdom in, about and for Christ. The more we learn of God the more intelligent we are regarding God, so i dont think we can seperate learning of God from intelligence concerning God.

I am a voracious reader of many things, i love researching all manner of things and seeing how they work in hand with God and His word.

Like paul i can say its all nothing in that it wont get me to heaven, it doesnt make me righteous, on the other hand it helps in my discussions with people. The Holy Spirit surely guides, but i dont mind trying to give him something to work with more than my sincerity alone lol...

Learning, in my mind, is just a personal joy and pleasure.

I think too how many times paul said 'i would not have you to be ignorant'... I strive not to be ignorant in any subect... but i place no redeeming value in it. I like the point made by LV too that one can get so wrapped up in their own intelligence... they really would have been better off staying ignorant i think... and this is an easy trap to step into... we dont have to be much to be swelled in pride.

In the end, intelligence is a blessing of sorts... the more we know of the word itself, the more intelligent we become concerning the word and thats not a bad thing at all... on the other hand if we swell in pride or put emphesis on intelligence over relationship... even if we think our intelligence raises us aove our brethren or anyone else... well then i think we could be in trouble

Its a matter of humility before God and realizing everything, including intelligence, is His gift to us and not to be abused

[ayin jade]

This has been on my mind of late, so I thought I would jot down my thoughts. Does intelligence help you in your walk with God?

Intelligence has no bearing on anyones walk with the Lord. I know someone who is not considered intelligent by the standards of our world, yet he has amazing faith and a solid walk with the Lord. He has faith.

For me personally, I think intelligence can go two ways in my walk with Him. It can give me insight into His word and understanding Him, yet it can also be a snare by which I can overthink and stumble into doubts. Then I need to pull back and rely on faith.

Intelligence should never be an idol. It should never be a source of pride. It is self focused.

1 Corinthians 1

17

[~candice~]

This has been on my mind of late, so I thought I would jot down my thoughts. Does intelligence help you in your walk with God?

Intelligence has no bearing on anyones walk with the Lord. I know someone who is not considered intelligent by the standards of our world, yet he has amazing faith and a solid walk with the Lord. He has faith.

For me personally, I think intelligence can go two ways in my walk with Him. It can give me insight into His word and understanding Him, yet it can also be a snare by which I can overthink and stumble into doubts. Then I need to pull back and rely on faith.

Intelligence should never be an idol. It should never be a source of pride. It is self focused.

1 Corinthians 1

17

[Guest]

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalms 90:12

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.... Perhaps we ought to separate the role of intelligence in obtaining faith, and the role of intelligence in strengthening faith.

Things like investigations into creationism and evolution comes to mind....

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Not All "Facts" Are True

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

And Not All Knowledge Is Wise

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 3:7

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In Awe

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Psalms 111:10

Wise Men Seek

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

And Find Him

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

And Even The Simple

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalms 19:7

Can Hear The Word Of The LORD

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

Psalms 119:98

And Become Wise

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Proverbs 1:5

Joyful Guys

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Jeremiah 15:16

[tjhawks1]

This is a quick thought on the subject. Most likely it will require extensive reworking, but, here it goes anyway. (I have to wonder if this is wise?)

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Here are two views of intelligence:

1. The ability to learn facts and skills and apply them, especially when this ability is highly developed

2. The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

I find nothing here that would disqualify anyone from acquiring faith in Christ or hinder their walk (relationship) with God.

Even so, as with any talent, skill or ability taken to an

[Guest]

Amen!

[beblessed]

Hi Andy,

I am interested in this topic for a number of reasons. I believe that God wants us to develop the faculties of our minds--the ability to reason, discriminate between things, differentiate, and to be logical and seek to understand. However, I believe as Jesse Penn Lewis teaches in Soul and Spirit that our intellect is not to be our teacher and guide because it is part of the fallen soul, our fallen nature that needs to be renewed. ( I read in this valuable small book years ago & another good read on subject is John R.W. Stott's small book Your Mind Matters).

As a result, our minds need to be renewed with God's principles, His Word, which is our map and guide for life and to learn the Lord's ways that are not our ways, and God's thoughts on every issue of life. Our intellect is part of our soul- our mind, will, and emotions. I have learned to use my mind to research the scriptures on topics that come up in my life to learn God's perspecive. The scriptures teach us that our "heart is deceitful above all thingss, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer 17:9,10 KJV.

I also agree with you that God makes His call simple although God's wisdom and ways are beyond our understanding. I love that we are not chosen according to our status or intellect or any such worldly thing: "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Cor 1:27-29). God's principle here is not to set aside our intellect but to recognize that we are to test, check, and prove all in light of the Word of God.

In response to your question, does intelligence help you in your walk with God? I believe our intellect is God given and can be developed and cultivated for God's purposes in our lives and the lives of others. Our intellect is part of our soul--our mind, will, and emotions that needs to be renewed daily with God's Word and in practicall living (Roman 12:1,2). We learn to trust God and grow through our experiences in daily living.

I understand that we serve the Lord actively choosing in line with His principles and that is our part. We love God with all our being, which includes our minds as we also love others in line with this commandment. Every part of our being is to grow up into the image and likeness of the Lord - that requires study in God's Word and pruning in the world as we make choices...

I agree with your points that God does not discriminate on intelligence but desires relationship above all with genuine seekers. The scriptures are clear on fact that we are not to be taken up with philsophy or man's wisdom but to seek the Wisdom of God (James 1:5) and God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. Knowledge puffs up but love edifies wrote Apostle Paul. Using our intelllects is part of spiritual warfare see

2 Cor 10: 3-6.

beblessed

This has been on my mind of late, so I thought I would jot down my thoughts. Does intelligence help you in your walk with God?

I have made the argument in chat many times, that God does not discriminate on intelligence. A person seeking to find God need not be intelligent to find Him, they only need to search with their heart. A God, who requires intelligence or soophisticated science or philosophy to believe in Him or have a relationship with Him is indeed biased, and not the God that I love. I would argue further that we do not need intelligence to understand His Word.

Firstly, it is the Holy Spirit that teaches us, not our own intelligence.

John 14:26

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Secondly, faith comes from hearing!

Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Thirdly, we are told not to lean on our own understanding...

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

We are told to study to show ourselves approved, but I do not believe that this requires intelligence, instead, a relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. This is not to say that intelligence is a bad thing, but reliance on wordly wisdom, and the pride that can come from intelligence, do hinder our walk with God.

Your thoughts are appreciated .

[Albert Finch]

We don't want to be like the theologian who after death was given the choice between going to Heaven or going to a lecture on Heaven and chose the lecture.

Albert Finch

http://www.thekeys2kingdom.com